***image1***It was business as usual for KMC racquetball players at the USAFE Racquetball Championship held May 1 at the Sembach Fitness Center.
The usual business was winning the bulk of awards. KMC players took first place in four of the six categories, which featured 33 players from throughout Europe.
Tim Hardison won the men’s open division and his second military tournament in a row. He beat Ramstein’s Curtis Morgan for the title. A KMC newcomer, Jimmy Romasanta, made his presence known by taking third place.
Tammie Milkes, Kaiserslautern was this year’s USAFE women’s champ after her victory over Karin Chun, Illesheim. She also finished third in the men’s C category.
Mike Bowers, Kaiserslautern, continued to dominate the masters division. He earned this year’s crown with a straight-set victory over Tony Tingley, Ramstein. However, the toughest match came in the semi-finals when Bowers faced former champion Dan Barbeau, Spangdahlem.
As it always was between the two, the match came down to a tiebreaker where Bowers’ prowess proved to be the decisive factor.
Jeffrey Milkes joined his wife in the winner’s circle by capturing the men’s B division. He got by Vic Waters, Sembach. Carlton Green, Vogelweh, finished in third place.
Patrick Rowlett, Vogelweh, said he really didn’t think he was ready to play in a tournament. He proved himself wrong by winning the men’s C category over 13-year-old Andre Chun, Illesheim, who was clearly the spectators’ sentimental favorite.
In the doubles event, Hardison teamed with Jesse Cross, Kaiserslautern, to garner the title over Robert Varkonyi and Billy Ray, both from Spangdahlem.
The next military tournament is the Heidelberg Summer Slam scheduled in July. For dates, other tournament results and schedules, go to http://www.racquetball.de.
(Courtesy of the 415th Base Support Battalion Public Affairs)